This fixture was in doubt; after seeing the conditions at Filbert Street in the TV showing of City's abandoned First Division game versus Southampton the preceeding Saturday there were obvious doubts as to whether our fixture could take place. However, the pitch was back into good shape, and the fixture went ahead with an afternoon kick-off. The first half was goalless, but the homesters went ahead after the interval; a splendid recovery by the Hammers led to goals by Tony Cottee and Paul Brush earning us a merited 2-1 victory and a move up the table. Paul Goyette went on as sub for Frank Lampard ten minutes from time and did well in those remaining exchanges.

After opening the season with five successive wins, our Reserves were held to a goalless draw at Upton Park. Our young side had about 80 per cent of the play against Oxford United Reserves but did not capitalise on the chances created.

The XI which lined up against Birmingham City Reserves at St. Andrew's on Tuesday afternoon had a more experienced look on paper, but we failed to score. Unfortunately the Blues hit a 30-yard net-finder, so they gained the spoils and their second win to date.

The following home fixture v. Crystal Palace was called off on the preceding morning as the Glaziers were not able to field eleven fit players due lo injury, etc.

Some of Sunday's newspapers did not include the result of our match v. Bristol Rovers at Upton Park on the preceding afternoon. However, on lhat occasion it was a case of "no news is good news," as our team ended 4-1 winners.

Bobby Barnes, Alan Dickens and George Parris each scored once in the first half. Rovers cut down the margin after the interval, but Dickens netted his second goal to make us convincing winners. The performances of our younger players were most encouraging, and the viciory kept the Hammers well in contention for the leadership.

Our home match versus Norwich City Reserves was played during the afternoon at the Chadwell Heath training ground. The Canaries provided strong opposition, and the first half ended goalless. The majority of our line-up were teenagers from our professional staff, including Terry Baker who was due to sign full pro forms on the following day.

However, it was "veteran" Frank Lampard who eventually settled the destination of the points; his direct free-kick eluded the defensive wall, and we gained a close, but well-merited victory. It put us back into joint-top position in the Combination table point-wise, but below Arsenal on goal-difference.

The fixture against Ipswich Town Reserves took place at Portman Road. On this occasion it was the greater experience of the home side which turned the scales in their favour. The Town scored twice during the first half, and added another after the interval to emerge with a 3-0 margin that moved them into the top half of the table.

Crystal Palace Reserves were probably as surprised as most of the spectators when they left the field at the conclusion of the match at Upton Park on November 12, The foot-of-the-table Glaziers had held us to a goalless draw — a result which obviously was not to our liking as leadership contenders.

Our second-string eventually showed far more convincing form in their visit to the Elm Park ground where they met Reading Reserves. However, until after half-time it was disappointing for us, insofar that the Biscuttmen led 1-0 at the interval; but then came a succession of goals for the Hammers. A Bobby Barnes' centre was converted by Steve Whitton for the equaliser; George Parris volleyed his shot into the net from a set-piece move; Whitton returned the compliment for Barnes to make it 3-1; and finally Greg Campbell went through on the wing to complete the scoring in 4-1 victory. A much better ending that put us into second place in the table.

After a goalless first-half at Upton Park, David Matthews put us ahead of Charlton Athletic Reserves. It continued at 1-0 in our favour until literally the last kick of the match; then the South Londoners equalised to snatch a point that was an unexpected concession.

Top-of-the-table Arsenal strengthened their position with another victory when we visited Highbury.

The Gunners went one up in the first half, and added another after the interval. With the score at two-nil in their favour, the homesters appeared set for a bigger margin due to the experience in their line-up. However, our younger side pegged away, and forced the North Londoners to concede a penalty. Our spot-kick did not find the net, but Kevin Keen netted the rebound to make it 1-2. From thence onward we fought hard to save a point, but the opposition held us out.

Luton Town Reserves are having a good season, and the 2-1 victory they gained at Upton Park put them into top place although Arsenal Reserves had games in hand.

The Hatters led by one goal at the interval, but we went on level terms again when Paul Goddard marked his return after injury with an equaliser. The visitors regained the advantage and held out to win, thus inflicting upon our second-string its second home defeat of the current campaign.

Earlier in the week we had been hoping for Billy Bonds to have a run out in the same match, and his name was actually printed in the programme on the Friday afternoon. However, it was eventually decided that he was not quite ready to have a match-test; Paul Allen was also precluded for similar reasons,

Mark Schiavi was back in the line-up, following his two-month loan spell with AFC Bournemouth.

Our solitary Reserve Team fixture during the Christmas - New Year period was an away match against Fulham on Thursday 29 December.

Only two of our starting line-up had any League experience (Tom McAlister and the recently-promoted Warren Donald), and this proved a decisive element after the first 20 minutes or so when we did quite well. The Cottagers went one up before half-time and added another couple after the interval to win 3-0. Dave Swindlehurst went on as sub during the concluding 20 minutes in preparation for his return to the First Team versus Spurs two days afterwards. The result could well have been much different if some of our early shots had gone into the net instead of striking the homesters' woodwork.